2025 Reading Challenge discussion

2014 Challenge Tracker

2014 LISTOPIA CHALLENGE
Duration: January 2014 - December 2014
Completed 19/15

List 1 BEST 100 SCIENCE FICTION

Goal read 5 books from list. 6/5 Complete
Ender's Game*****
The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy****
Dune****
A Wrinkle in Time***
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War****
Wool Omnibus***

List 2 BRAM STOKER AWARD WINNERS

Goal read 5 books from list. 5/5 Complete
American Gods***
The Stand*****
Carrion Comfort****
Misery*****
Duma Key****

List 3 Top 100 Must Read Classics

Goal read 5 books from list, 8/5 Complete
Brave New World***
Dracula*****
The Count of Monte Cristo****
To Kill a Mockingbird****
Pride and Prejudice****
Animal Farm****
All Quiet on the Western Front****
A Christmas Carol***

2014 Horror's Best Books Reading Challenge
Duration: January 2014 - December 2014

100 Best Horror Novels List

Goal read 10 books from the list. 10/10 Complete
The Passage*****
And Then There Were None***
Carrion Comfort****
Dracula*****
Misery*****
The Bad Place****
Duma Key****
Christine***
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde***
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War****

SF&F 2014 Explorer Challenge
Set yourself a goal to explore Science Fiction & Fantasy by authors you've never read before. Sample some new writers, discover new favorites in 2014!
Duration: January 2014 - December 2014

Goal read 15 new sci-fy authors. 24/15 Complete

The Passage*****
Justin Cronin

The Name of the Wind****
Patrick Rothfuss

Redshirts*****
John Scalzi

Dead Until Dark**
Charlaine Harris

Brave New World***
Aldous Huxley

American Gods***
Neil Gaiman

Firebrand*
Gillian Philip

Boneshaker***
Cherie Priest

Grass**
Sheri S. Tepper

Ender's Game*****
Orson Scott Card

Carrion Comfort****
Dan Simmons

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Live****
Douglas Adams

Dune****
Frank Herbert

Han Solo at Stars' End***
Brian Daley

A Wrinkle in Time***
Madeleine L'Engle

The Skin Map***
Stephen Lawhead

A New Dawn***
John Jackson Miller

The Lies of Locke Lamora****
Scott Lynch

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde***
Robert Louis Stevenson

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War****
Max Brooks

Animal Farm***
George Orwell

The Night Circus****
Erin Morgenstern

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children**
Ransom Riggs

Wool Omnibus***
Hugh Howey

THIRD QUARTER CHALLENGE: HUNGER GAMES
Duration: July 1 - September 30, 2014

Goal read 10 books from the list. 9/5 Complete

May the odds be ever in your favor.

The Capitol: The capitol is filled with beautiful extravagant people. Read a book with “beauty” in the title OR read a book where the main character is said to be extraordinarily beautiful.

District 1: District 1 produces luxury items. Read a book about people who are rich OR read a book where a piece of jewelry plays an important role.

****The Count's wealth was only surpassed by the vengeance in his heart. The tributes died well their district should be proud. I wonder if the good people of district one’s heart will start filling with vengeance and clouding their mind with hate.

District 2: District 2 produces weapons and trains peacekeepers. Read a book about a war OR read a book with a cop as one of the characters.

**** Sheriff Gentry Investigates strange set if murders which leads him done a path he never would have thought.

District 3: District 3 makes electronics. Read a book about a technologically advanced society OR read a book with a computer (or robot) as a main character.

****
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy District 3 has been my favorite kill yet. It is a must read, it will change your out look on life and how you treat mice. The book has many alien civilization's that are technologically advanced and has a robot named Marvin.

District 4: District 4 is a fishing district. Read a book about a fisherman OR read a book that at least partially takes place on a boat.

District 5: District 5 is the source of electrical power. Read a book that features a lightning storm OR read a book that is set in a place without electricity.

District 6: District 6 is the hub of transportation. Read a book written by an author from a different country OR read a book that takes place in a real location you could visit.

*****Bram Stoker being Irish helped me make the cannon go boom for the district 6.


District 7: District 7 produces lumber and paper. Read a book that takes place in a forest OR read a physical book made out of paper (as opposed to an ebook).



Bridge to Terabithia***** I touched real paper:)


District 8: District 8 makes textiles. Read a book about fashion OR read with an item of clothing on its cover.

District 9: District 9 produces grain and has no characters named in the books. Read a book with an unnamed main character OR read a book with a character who is a vegetarian.

District 10: District 10 specialized in raising livestock. Read a book that has a domestic animal as a character OR read a book that has an animal in the title.


To Kill a Mockingbird - This tribute taught me what hate and ignorance looks like through the eyes of an eight year old.

District 11: District 11 is an agricultural district and Rue, a young herbalist, originated here. Read a book where a young person dies OR read a book where an herbalist saves someone from dying.



The Bad Place When this tribute fell, it gave me cause for pause. The children that died in this booked tugged at my heart.

District 12: District 12 is the mining district, and Katniss and Peeta, its tributes, wear clothes that catch fire. Read a book that has a fire that is helpful in it OR read a book that has the word “coal” somewhere in it (add a quote of the sentence where you found the word).



Dune- I stumbled upon the tribute from district 12. On page 72 "But the hair was the Duke's -coal-colored and tousled."

District 13: District 13 is a rebellious district that specialized in nuclear technology. Read a book centered around a nuclear disaster OR read a book where the main character is rebellious.


Han Solo at Stars' End This rebellious district tribute was brought down by Han Solo. The more he tries to avoid the authority the more he ends up fighting it.

2014 AUGUST: GREAT EMPIRES
Duration: August 1 - 30, 2014

Goal: Conquer two civilization's. 4/2 Complete

1. The Ottoman Empire (1299 – 1923) was a multinational/ multilingual empire and was also known as the Turkish Empire. Read a book that was originally written in a language other than your own OR read a book that contains at least one Muslim character.

2. The Persian Empire (Achaemenid Empire) (550 – 330 BC) was known for its architectural stonework on buildings such as mausoleums and for its metalwork. Read a book that takes place (at least in part) in a cemetery OR read a book that has a metal in the title (for example: The Adventures of Tintin, The Man in the Iron Mask, The Silver Star, etc.)

3. The Byzantine Empire (330 – 1204 & 1261 – 1453) had its capital in Constantinople (aka Istanbul, aka Byzantium) and fell once but was temporarily revived. Read a book that takes place in a city that has at least one other name (for example: Bombay/Mumbai, Canton/Guangzhou, Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City, St. Petersburg/Petrograd, New York/ New Amsterdam) OR read a book where something that is broken is put back together.

4. The Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) was known for its economic prosperity with the emperor at its head. Read a book that is focused on money OR read a book with a character named “Han/Hans.”


Han Solo at Stars' End***

The Han Dynasty was brought down by Han Solo.


5. It was said that the sun never set on the British Empire (1497 – 1997). Read a book where most of the plot takes place after sunset OR read a book that is set in several countries around the world.

6. The Russian Empire was officially founded by Peter the Great who brought European ideas to Russia. Read a book where at least one character is introduced to a foreign culture OR read a book where a character is unhappy with his or her life.


The Russian civilization was conquered byThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy**** A human named Arthur met a number of different alien species and was in culture shock through out the book and there was an unhappy robot named Marvin who was really depressing.

7. The Roman Empire (Western: 27 BC – 476 AD; Eastern: 330 AD – 1453 AD) borrowed from Greek mythology and was well known for its fighting in the Colosseum. Read a book about mythology OR read a book that includes a physical fight.


Dune- If you listened closely you could here Nero playing his violin while Rome burned. This book featured several one on one knife fights.

8. The Holy Roman Empire (off and on 800 – 1806) was an attempt to revive the Western Roman Empire and spent most of its existence very fragmented. Read a book that features something dysfunctional OR read a book where characters try hold on to something longer than they should.

Misery***** The conquering of The Holy Roman Empire was quite disturbing. (view spoiler)[ Calling Anne Wilkes character in the book dysfunctional is the understatement of the year. You could also argue that she held on to him to long so she could read the rest of the story sealing her fate. (hide spoiler)].

9. The Mongol Empire (1206 – 1368) was the largest land empire (that covered only joining land) spanning from China to Europe and fell because Genghis Khan’s grandchildren kept fighting over leadership. Read a large book (more than 500 pages) OR read a book that contains siblings fighting.

2014 September" The Banned Book Challenge
Duration: September 1 - 30, 2014
Goal: Read 4 banned books - 4/4 Complete.

1. Banned Books Week is September 21st-27th. Order your TBR List by Date Added and read a book that you added on the 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, or 27th of any month or year.


The Bad Place**** I added this book "to read" on May 24th, 2014.

2. Forty-six of the top 100 novels of the 20th century (based on Radcliffe Publishing Course's list) have been the target of ban attempts. Read one of those 46 novels (found here).


To Kill a Mockingbird This banned book needs to be read and taught to everyone.

3. This is a list of the most frequently challenged books of the 21st century by year. Choose a year that has significant meaning to you (i.e., graduated, married, baby born, hamster died, etc.), and then read a book from that year's list.


Bridge to Terabithia***** 2003 is the year I was married it was also the year that it was challenged.

4. Use Random.org to help you choose a number between 1-100 that will correspond to one of the Top 100 Books Challenged/banned from 2000-2009 (found here). If you see that someone got the same number/book as you, see if they want to do a buddy read!


A Wrinkle in Time*** Random number 90.

4/4 Complete

5. Chances are you have recognized some books on these lists. Some may even be on your TBR list or some maybe your favorite books. But do you recognize the most challenged authors of the 21st Century? Sort your TBR list by author and find one who is on this list. If you can't find any common authors, read a book by one of the authors that you've never, ever heard of before -- ever.

6. During the actual Banned Book Week (September 21st-27th), read a book that has been banned by a government entity from Wikipedia's list.

7. Lastly, if all these controversial books are making your blush or get squirmy, read one of these books instead from a Goodread's listopia as a less offensive option.

2014 Forth Quarter Challenge: The First World War
Duration: October 1 - December 31 2014

Goal: Read 12 books - 12/12 Complete.


World War I began 100 years ago and lasted over four years. We'll learn about the war and commemorate it with this challenge.

1. Since it is 100 years ago that the First World War broke out, read a book that is at least 100 years old or at the most 100 days young.


Pride and Prejudice**** Published in 1813.

2. Before World War II began in 1939, World War I was called the Great War, the World War, or the War to End all Wars. 135 countries took part in World War I, and more than 15 000 000 people died in the war. Read a story set in at least two countries.


The Spirit Well*** It was challenging trying to figure out where and when each of these characters were. The following is the countries this book takes place in. England, United States, Scotland, France, Italy, Spain, Slovakia, Egypt, and Syria.


3. The main causes of World War I included many factors, such as the conflicts and hostility between the great European powers over the four decades leading up to the war. The immediate origins of the war, however, lay in the decisions taken by statesmen and generals during the July Crisis of 1914 caused by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie in Sarajevo. Read a book in which an important person is killed OR read a crime novel.


The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest**The archduke's assassination kicked a hornet's nest too. The first two books where good mystery/crime dramas, this book didn't know if it wanted to be a crime/spy/courtroom drama. It left me disappointed.

4. King George V, Kaiser Wilhelm II, and the last Tsar Nicholas II ruled Europe's three most powerful states. They were related, as King George, Kaiser Wilhelm and Tsar Nicolas' wife were grandchildren of Queen Victoria. Read a family saga.


The Shadow Lamp****(audio) The series is about a search for the skin map, one part of the book is about the Flenders Peatree family and how they created, hid, searched, and killed for the map. The family goes like this...Arthur begot Bendict, and Bendict begot Charles, and Charles begot Douglas.


5. The sinking of the RMS Lusitania on 7 May 1915 contributed to the American entry into World War I and became an iconic symbol in military recruiting campaigns of why the war was being fought. The RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by the Germans. On top of this, Germany had suggested to Mexico to work together to attack the United States. The note making this suggestion however was intercepted by British spies and the American government was warned. Read a book where a code needs to be cracked OR read a spy novel.


The Bone House*** It's a race to find and decode the skin map.

6. World War I was the first war where tanks, aero planes, and submarines or underwater boats (U-boats) were used as common weapons. The generals however were used to fighting wars without these, so they ordered their armies to attack in the old style of marching in rows--allowing the enemy to shoot them down easily. At the battle of the Somme in 1916, 60 000 British men died in a single day. Read either a book where something new is introduced OR read a book about technology or science.


A New Dawn*** This book is full of future technology. All tech begins at our imagination first.

7. Despite the new technology, lots of animals were used in the Great War. The work of these animals was varied. Horses and mules were used to move supplies and weapons. Oxen were also used to pull heavy loads. Dogs were used as sentries, scouts, and ammunition and equipment carriers as well as to send messages. Carrier pigeons were used extensively to carry messages. Cats were brought in to try and control the rat population. Read a book on animals OR read a book where at least one animal is important to the story.


Animal Farm**** Most characters in the books are animals.

8. The Christmas truce was a series of widespread, unofficial ceasefires that took place along the Western Front around Christmas 1914, during World War I. Through the week leading up to Christmas, parties of German and British soldiers began to exchange seasonal greetings and songs between their trenches. Troops from both sides were also friendly enough to play games of football with one another. Read either a book set at Christmas OR with the word Christmas in its title.


A Christmas Carol*** A nice Christmas story that makes your grateful for the ones you love.

9. Life in the trenches was far from glamorous. In fact, trenches were dirty, smelly, and riddled with disease. For soldiers, life in the trenches meant living in fear: in fear of diseases and, of course, the constant fear of enemy attack. The open space between two sets of opposing trenches became known as No Man’s Land because no soldier wanted to traverse the distance for fear of attack. The climate in France and Belgium was quite wet, so No Man’s Land soon became a mud bath. It was so thick that soldiers could disappear into it never to be seen again. The British and French actually recruited manpower from China to dig the trenches. Read a novel in which the main protagonist is in fear for his life or health.


Christine*** To say Dennis Guilder feared for his life is an understatement.


10. Of the 60 million European soldiers who were mobilised from 1914 to 1918, 8 million were killed, 7 million were permanently disabled, and 15 million were seriously injured. Germany lost 15.1% of its active male population, Austria-Hungary lost 17.1%, and France lost 10.5%. Those who had survived had suffered gas attacks or got shell shocked. Some returned home without legs or arms. Some lost their sanity. Read a book where one of the characters is mad or traumatized.


Duma Key**** The main character was in a crane accident causing him to lose his arm and damage his brain. Through his madness he was able to paint as an outlet of sorts.


11. The "Lost Generation" was the generation that came of age during World War I. The term was popularized by writer Ernest Hemingway. Read a book by an author who served in the Great War OR read a novel set in the Great War.


All Quiet on the Western Front**** This took place during WWI and was from an author who fought in it. A very eye opening book that should be read by all.

12. Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the end of hostilities of World War I on that date in 1918 and is a national holiday in many countries. Every evening since 1928 The Last Post has been played under the Menin Gate Memorial in Ieper (Belgium) at 8 o'clock sharp. Most likely there is also a First World War Memorial statue or plaque in your town. Look around your own local official buildings (churches, town halls, universities, fire brigade stations, etc.) for a plaque commemorating those who have fallen in the Great War. Read a novel set in a town that has a First World War Memorial statue OR plaque. In case it is your own town, you can read a book set in your town or about your town.



The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde*** This book takes place in London and there is a memorial I wanted to visit, but the Atlantic Ocean was in my way. Please find the Tower of London World War I Poppy "Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red" Memorial.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/...

2014 October: Scream Challenge
Duration: October 1-31, 2014
Goal: Read 3 Books - 4/3 Complete

Our group theme for October is scream!, so let's explore different places we find the word.

1. Scream! was Michael and Janet Jackson's song. Read a book that takes place in a spaceship OR read a book that makes you want to scream.


A New Dawn*** When the character's were not in one space ship or another they played a crucial role to the story.

2. I scream for ice cream! Read a book that at least partially takes place in ice cream parlour OR read a book that has ice cream on its cover.

3. Scream is a series of American slasher films and consists, to date, of four motion pictures. Read a book about a serial killer OR read a book from series that has at least four books.


The Bone House*** This book is in the Bright Empire series which has 5 books.



4. Scream if you wanna go faster! is the second studio album by Geri Halliwell. Read a book that has a female singer as a character OR read a book that has a car or a motorbike on its cover.


Christine***

5. The Scream is a famous painting by Edvard Munch. Read a book that has painter as a character OR read a book in which a painting plays an important role.


Duma Key**** What would you paint if what you painted became reality?

2014 The History of Fireworks Mini Challenge
Duration: November 1-30, 2014

Goal: Read 4 Books - 4/4 Complete

The theme for November is fireworks, and this challenge explores the history of fireworks through different settings.

1. Fireworks were invented in China in the 7th century. Read a book with a character of Chinese origin or a book that takes place in China.


World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War - took place in China in a few parts of the book and had a few different Chinese characters.

2. Fireworks were often use to entertain emperors. Read a book about royalty or a book that takes place in an empire.


Pride and Prejudice**** This book took place in the early 19th in England during the British Empire.

3. Skyrockets (aerial fireworks that provide their own propulsion). Read a book about war or a book that takes place in a war-torn country.


All Quiet on the Western Front**** This book was about what life was like on the front during WWI.

4. In the 13th century, fireworks spread to the Arabian peninsula, then in the 17th and 18th centuries, fireworks spread to Europe. Read a book that has to do with travel or a book that takes place in either an Arabic country or Europe.


The Da Vinci Code*** This book takes place in France and England

FOURTH QUARTER CHALLENGE: GRATITUDE SPELL OUT
Duration: November 1 - December 31, 2014

Goal Special Family

We're entering the holiday season which is a great time for us to think things we're grateful for. For this challenge, spell out something for which you're thankful. You can use ANY of the first letters of the main words in a title of a book (don't use words like "a", "an", "the", or "of") or the initials of its authors.

F Animal Farm - George Orwell
A Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
M The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - Robert Louis Stevenson
I InterWorld - Neil Gaiman
L The Lies of Locke Lamora - Scott Lynch
Y A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court - Mark Twain

DECEMBER GROUP READS CHALLENGE
Duration: December 1 - December 31, 2014

5/5 Complete

For this challenge, we're going to read old group reads!

1. Check out the list of all past group reads
2. Decide how many you'd like to read this month
3. Read!
4. Tell us what you thought of them in this thread.




The Night Circus**** was a refreshing change from cookie cutter fantasy. It is an amazing story where words like majestic and terrific falls short. Fans of the fantasy genre looking for something different will be in for a treat.


A Christmas Carol*** A nice Christmas story that makes your grateful for the ones you love.


Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children**
This was the most disappointing book I read in 2014. It came with so much promise. Creepy picture and catchy summary took me in. The read was painful but I'm glad I'm through it. With that said, I'm neurotic I will still have to read book 2 and I'm encouraged by the fact the GR rating is 4.03


Wool Omnibus***
Wool was a solid science fiction from beginning to end. It is full of mystery and intrigue. If post apocalyptic is your thing give it read.


Catch-22*** Is a dark comedy with a nice mix of Hogan's Hero, M*A*S*H and Doctor Strangelove times 10. It is brilliantly written and just missed a 4 stars because there were times where parts got stale in places. There are plenty of memorable quotes that will make it into my everyday references.